Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Madison East takes down Madison Memorial in a game for the ages

In one of the best games that I have ever seen, Madison East was able to take down Madison Memorial at Memorial high school. Memorial has been involved in numerous epic battles throughout the past 10 years or so. This game may of been one of the best of all the games. Had the star power with a hand full of possible D1 recruits in the game, a packed gym, and a game that went to overtime and was won on a last second shot. Despite the outcome I would still argue that Memorial has the better athletes, more potential, and will probably have more players play at the college level but, the difference in this game is that one team is full of seniors while the other has a pair of seniors and a bunch of young inexperienced talent.

The game started out like most games with both teams struggling to get things going before things started rolling and both teams began trading baskets. Throughout the first half East's two stars, 6'4 senior Marquis Mason and 6'0 junior Nimrod Hillard just couldn't get things going but, their unheralded starters got things going behind seniors 6'2 Drew McAdams and 6'4 Jeff Hull. On the other side all of Memorial's starters were struggling to score outside of 6'2 senior Tre Creamer who may of had the best game of his life. Creamer scored 16 of the teams 23 first half points, getting the majority of those from behind the three point line. The hot shooting of Creamer led to a 23-22 halftime lead for Memorial.

In the second half Creamer finally got alittle help when their top player 6'3 senior Vander Blue finally arrived on the offensive end. In the second half Blue had three thunderous dunks which seemed to give Memorial some boost in the game and Memorial had a 39-34 lead after the third quarter. Through the third quarter Creamer continued to remain hot hitting the outside shot. East tried all game long to get the ball inside to Marquis Mason but, I give big props to Memorial sophomore 6'3 Jamar Morris who did a great job on Mason and didn't leave his feet when Mason looked to score. Morris didn't go for the block and didn't let Mason get close to the hoop which led to Mason throwing up numerous wild hook shots. In the end of regulation it was once again East's unknown stars. Memorial went into a run the clock offense which led to them not scoring and East took advantage. A pair of threes by a pair of seniors in 6'2 Marcel Terry and 5'10 DeAndre Galligan brought the game close and a layup by Terry tied the game at 47 and sent the game to OT. I honestly don't remember much about OT but, With about 18 seconds left East was down by three and Hillard hit a three to tied the game and then got a huge steal from Creamer and got the layup and the foul. Hillard hit the free throw to seal the game and East got away with their biggest win of the year.

Top Players
Tre Creamer 6'2 senior Madison Memorial- Was unconscious from the outside as he hit six three pointers and had a game high 25 points. Has really stepped up big this year when his team has needed him the most.
Vander Blue 6'3 senior Madison Memorial- Had a rough first half but, stepped it up in the second half and started hitting some shots including the three big dunks.
Jamar Morris 6'3 sophomore Madison Memorial- Only scored two points in the game but, as I mentioned above played great defense on Mason and really battled tough against Mason on the boards.
Nimrod Hillard 6'0 junior Madison East- Was the star of the night scoring six straight points in the final 18 seconds of the game. Always seems to come up big in these big games.
Marquis Mason 6'4 senior Madison East- As always dominated on the glass and did have some tough and one baskets on the inside.
Marcel Terry 6'2 senior Madison East- Without him this game wouldn't of gone to overtime. Scored five huge points right at the end.

Box Score (starters in italics)
Madison Memorial- Creamer 25 Blue 21 Miles Chamberlain 4 Junior Lomomba 2 Jamar Morris 2 Jordan Fredrick 0 Tre Burnette 0 Eric Fruhling 0 Ed Kluender 0
Madison East- Hillard 16 Mason 13 Terry 10 Hull 9 McAdams 6 Galligan 3 Rudy Bentley 0

One thing to really take note of for Madison Memorial is their lack of scoring outside of the big two in Creamer and Blue. For Memorial to continue their domination of the conference and a return trip to state they will need to have others step up. Help may be in the form of sophomore Junior Lomomba who is only in his first week back and is still looking to work some of the rust off. I will say one thing the rematch between these two teams will be very interesting.

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